Redesigning your garden? It doesn't have to cost the earth

2 â€“ If you enjoy alfresco dining this circular outdoor seating area will provide the perfect place to entertain. It makes a great feature in a sunny part of the garden but also affords some privacy. The rendered walls can be painted or the construction could be brick or stone to match the style of the property as well as the garden.

The print version of this article appeared in the March 2012 issue of Yorkshire Life

Spring is in the air and its usually now many people take a fresh look at their garden and often think about creating a more interesting and attractive place to entertain friends or just relax.

Landscaping a garden can be an expensive project but a well laid-out, attractive garden will actually add value to your home. Its not necessary to landscape the whole garden in one go. For me the enjoyment of gardening is to watch a garden evolve over the years. Adding one or two new features such as a water feature, seating or new planting every few years helps to keep a garden fresh and interesting.

3 â€“ This informal seating area is ideal for the corner of a garden and creates a lovely natural place to sit and relax. The main frame is made from recycled railway sleepers and the planted roof is perfect for attracting wildlife and looks great. Itâ€™s a perfect woodland hide-away set among a few trees.

There is plenty of design and planting inspiration around us parks, private gardens open to the public and even traffic roundabouts, often sponsored by local businesses. And of course books and television programmes.

But one of the best sources for practical help and ideas is a flower show. I declare an interest here because I am director of the Harrogate Flower Shows and thousands of people every year come along not just to enjoy a day out but to talk to experts and find answers to their gardening dilemmas.

Last year the Harrogate Spring Flower Show introduced outdoor show gardens packed with ideas that could be adapted to gardens large and small, and at this years show April 26th-29th there are nine show gardens created by local landscapers, designers and colleges. All the gardens are very different and are bound to inspire and get you thinking.

Here are some ideas to help you

4 â€“ A modern design planted with a selection of ferns, grasses and evergreens helps to create a calm place to sit out in the garden. The planting has a naturally cooling effect making it ideal for hot summer days when you want to get out of the sun. Itâ€™s ideal for a small courtyard or to create a â€˜green roomâ€™ as part of a larger garden.

Martin Fish is show director of the North of England Horticultural Society, organisers of the Harrogate Flower Shows. He is a qualified horticulturalist and writes for several gardening publications and broadcasts for the BBC.

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